Council leaders have agreed to earmark greenspace next to a crematorium for disposal – which could see the site sold off for housing.

The land off Arnold Grove in Bradwell is one of eight sites which have been added to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's updated asset management plan, following approval by cabinet members.

While no final decision has been taken for any of the sites, the council will now be able to explore options for their reuse or disposal.

Under the previous Conservative administration, the borough council had looked at selling off land at Arnold Grove for housing in order to fund the planned expansion of Bradwell Crematorium.

The proposal was dropped following public opposition.

But the authority's current Reform UK leaders have resurrected the plans, saying they will not shy away from taking 'difficult decisions'.

Council leader Jonathan Gullis told Tuesday's cabinet meeting that selling off part of the 16.6 acre site would allow the authority to pay for the crematorium's £1.4 million expansion without borrowing.

He said: "The reality is that we're going to need a portion of this site to expand the existing crematorium.

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"We're also going to need a portion of the site for housing, which will generate a one-off capital receipt which we can then use to fund the expansion of the crematorium.

"I don't want to be in a situation where this council continues to just go with the easy option of borrowing, particularly at a time when interest rates are increasing.

"We have a responsibility to take difficult decisions. I make no apologies for making difficult calls which are in the public interest."

The council will carry out public consultation before taking any final decision to dispose of the land, in line with its asset management strategy.

Cllr Gullis also suggested the council itself could draw up an outline planning application for the site in order to retain some control over its development.

These are the other sites which cabinet has agreed to add to the asset management plan:

• Riley's Way, Bignall End
• Gresley Way, Bignall End
• Milford Road, Seabridge
• St Edmunds Avenue, Porthill
• Sheldon Grove, Chesterton
• Slaney Street/ Occupation Street, Newcastle
• Cross Street, Longbridge Hayes

The previous Conservative administration had proposed to register the land at Arnold Grove with the national Fields in Trust scheme, which would have seen it protected from future development. But the site has now been withdrawn from Fields in Trust consideration.